St Marylebone Church of England School — Music Aptitude Test Explained (Parent Guide)
St Marylebone Church of England School uses a two-stage music aptitude assessment designed to identify musical potential, not just formal training or exam grades. The process values careful listening, musical awareness, and confidence, making it accessible to children with a wide range of musical backgrounds.
Below is a clear breakdown of what happens in each stage, what the school is really listening for, and how parents can best support preparation.
Stage 1: Group Listening Test
The first stage is a written listening test, taken as a group. Children listen to recorded musical examples and answer questions based purely on what they hear. No music theory knowledge is required.
This stage assesses broad musical listening skills, rather than speed or advanced technique.
Pitch Awareness
Children hear two notes and decide whether the second note is higher, lower, or the same.
This checks basic pitch discrimination and listening accuracy.
Rhythm
Short rhythm patterns are played.
Children decide whether the second pattern is the same or different.
This tests:
Sense of pulse
Rhythmic memory
Attention to timing details
Melody
Children hear a short melodic phrase and then hear it again.
They must decide whether the melody is the same or whether a note has changed.
This focuses on:
Aural memory
Concentration
Detecting small melodic differences
Comparing Pieces
Two versions of a musical extract are played.
Children choose a sentence that best describes what has changed, such as:
Louder or quieter
Faster or slower
A different musical character
This section tests descriptive listening and musical awareness rather than right-or-wrong technical answers.
Graphic Notation
Children match what they hear to a simple graphic score.
This assesses their ability to connect sound with visual musical shapes and patterns, without requiring traditional notation reading.
Explore this Graphic Score Masterclass to prepare for this section of the test.
Stage 2: Individual Aural & Singing Assessment (15 minutes)
Candidates who progress to Stage 2 are invited to a one-to-one assessment with a member of the Music Department. This lasts approximately 15 minutes and focuses entirely on aural learning and vocal response.
Aural Test & Learning a Set Song
This stage includes an aural test, which also involves learning and performing a set song vocally.
The set song is designed to be learned aurally, not through reading notation.
An audio file (mp3) and lyrics are usually sent to families a few days before the test.
Children are expected to:
Learn the song primarily by listening
Become familiar with the shape, phrasing, and expression of the music
Feel confident singing it independently
Important Details for Parents
The starting note (middle C) will be given during the test
Students do not need to memorise the words
A lyric sheet will be available in the assessment
Singing from memory is optional
Students should sing in their natural voice and not imitate the singer on the recording
The assessors are listening for:
Pitch accuracy
Musical memory
Expressive awareness
Responsiveness to musical guidance
This is not a performance exam and is not about vocal training or advanced technique. It is about how well a child can learn music by ear and respond musically.
Final Thoughts for Parents
St Marylebone Church of England School’s music aptitude process is designed to identify musical potential, not polished performers or children with extensive formal training. Across both stages, the emphasis is on listening, musical responsiveness, and expressive awareness.
Stage 1 rewards children who can listen carefully, notice small musical changes, and describe what they hear. Stage 2 focuses on aural learning, particularly the ability to learn and sing a song by ear with confidence and expression.
The strongest preparation is steady, balanced listening practice combined with relaxed, confident singing at home. Children do not need to be perfect — they need to show that they can listen, respond, and engage musically.
For many children, this test is a positive musical experience rather than a high-pressure exam. With the right preparation and mindset, it offers a genuine opportunity to demonstrate natural musical ability and future potential.
If you’re preparing for multiple London music aptitude schools, this format sits somewhere between a standard MAT listening test and a broader musical awareness assessment, making balanced preparation especially important.
Try our Free 11+ Music Aptitude Test Practice Pack – includes downloadable audio questions, PDF answer sheet, and expert preparation tips.
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Want to Help Your Child Prepare?
Our Music Aptitude Maestros App is a perfect companion for independent practice.
♫ Join our 8-Module Digital Course
If you’d like to book our 8-Module Music Aptitude Mastery Course, which gives your child expert support and structured preparation, visit:
